An amusing paradox in poem

Or "How a clever innkeeper provided with nine empty rooms had no difficulty providing separate lodgings for each of 10 travelers. "

From a late 19th century British magazine…

Ten weary, footsore travelers,

All in a woeful plight,

Sought shelter at a wayside inn

One dark and stormy night

“Nine rooms, no more,” the landlord said,

“Have I to offer you.

To each of eight a single bed

But the ninth must serve for two.”

A din arose. The troubled host

Could only scratch his head,

For of those tired men no two

Would occupy one bed

The puzzled host was soon at ease –

He was a clever man –

And so to please his guests devised

This most ingenious plan.

In room marked A two men were placed,

The third was lodged in B,

The fourth to C was then assigned,

The fifth retired to D.

In E the sixth he tucked away,

In F the seventh man,

The eighth and ninth in G and H,

And then to A he ran,

Where in the host, as I have said,

Had laid two travelers by;

Then taking one – the tenth and last-

He lodged him safe in I.

Nine single rooms – a room for each-

Were made to serve for ten;

And this it is that puzzles me

And many wiser men.

From The Scientific American Book of Mathematical Puzzles & Diversions, Fallacies, pg 142,143